My question involves estate proceedings in the state of: New Jersey
My partner passed away a few weeks ago and I already went to the Surrogate's Court with his will and received a certificate indicating that I am the executor of his estate. I have never done this before so I am not sure how to proceed. I am looking for a lawyer now. I have the following questions:
1. I was told to get an EIN number from IRS so that I can open a checking account that I can deposit checks that might come in under his name. I think I saw that I could get the number online. Is this correct? Once I open a checking account for his estate, can I move money from his current checking and saving accounts into this account to pay for expenses, e.g., funeral expenses, bills, etc.
2. Social Security sent me Form SSA-172-F4, Claim for Amounts Due in the Case of a Deceased Social Security Recipient. Does this mean that Social Security might send a check or something for his estate?
3. Although we were registered as domestic partners in NJ, we were not married or in a civil union relationship. People already told me that I would not have to pay the inheritance tax but I will have to pay the NJ estate tax if the estate is more than $675K. We have been living together 28 years and we were going to marry a week after he passed. Is there anything I can do to reduce the amount of the estate tax?
4. Do I need to get the house appraised or can I use the value of the house that is being used for the personal property tax?
Thanks,
RJ

